10/22/09

A repeat customer

by PussyCat

The first time I came here was with a group of co-workers and we all had a great time, the service was excellent, everyone enjoyed the food and the wine suggestions were very good. My husband and I came here again recently and yet again, everything was excellent. I'll be back

• Pros: decor, service, food
• Cons: none

03/09/09

Great Restaurant, Met our Expectations!

by BandTchick

My friend brought the Il Bastardo wine to a gathering over the summer (we liked the wine and got a kick out of the name) so when we found out recently there was a restaurant in Chelsea we HAD to go. It was a girls nite out, we had 8 in our party for a Saturday. Made reservations the day before - 45 mins before we had to be there, I called to try and push our reservation a half hour due to some of our party running late (and public transportation). They were very accomodating and when we got there the table was ready and we were seated immediately in the back room. There was so much room, it was nice and intimate, the ambiance of the place was great. We got 2 bottles of their Il Bastardo wine, (they gave 2 pieces of bread with balsalmic dip, olives and butter) appetizers and we all got different entrees which everyone loved. A few people got coffee and there were biscotti cookies on the table after dinner. There were zero complaints about the food or wine. The price was very reasonable. After tax and tip we spent about $40 a piece. We weren't in any kind of super rush so it wasn't as big as a deal to be there so long (2.5 hrs) and it was also a Saturday night at prime time for dinner...we only saw our waiter when he brought us our food. I don't recall him checking on us to see if we needed anything in between but it didn't really affect our opinion of the place (and there appeared to be a young man in a suit walking around if anyone really had a problem). It didn't seem like the food itself took long and he was patient when we took a bit to make up our minds when we first ordered. That is definately better than being rushed out! Besides we were gabbing so much we hardly noticed the time until we asked for the check. I would definately go back again and recommend this place if you are not rushing and going to have a relaxing meal in an nice setting. (Note: It was also our first time walking around in Chelsea and it seems like a fun neighborhood.)

02/04/09

Uh Oh! What happened?

by DonInNYC

After eating here more than a year ago, I booked a reservation for a business meeting with my boss and two others. I guess the fog of time must have dimmed my memory of the place, either that or the restaurant has gone downhill. My first visit, I recall a lovely meal in a lovely setting with attentive service. My most recent visit was nothing like the first time. It was the first week in February after a blizzardy day. The hostess seated us at a chilly front window table, rather than the cozy intimate back room. Do they not have a coat check, we weren't even asked. My fault? I could have spoken up. Next, the bartender failed to deliver a decent round of drinks, my scotch and water was just that, no ice. The second round included ice in a separate glass, the third time was the charm and my drink arrived as expected. The waiter was inexperienced, had to read the specials from a list, pronunciation was an issue, no upselling of the needed sides (meat on a plate is a bit lacking). The shared appetizers arrived but without sideplates, we reappropriated the bread plates for the task (where was the bread anyway?), and soon after, three different members of the wait staff attempted to place sideplates. Coordination? The entrees arrived and so did additional utensils, things were looking up! But sadly, the pork loin special was overcooked and tough. I was afraid to ask what the others thought of their meals. Thankfully, we had a lively and fun conversation through the meal, so the evening wasn't a complete loss. I did feel the need to shoot off an email to my colleagues the next day to apologize for the restaurant. We would have been better served at the Outback. This could be a good restaurant with experienced well-trained personnel, but sadly no.

• Pros: Atmosphere is nice
• Cons: Unprofessional wait staff, incompetant bartender, clueless hostess.